Anesthesia apparatus



A. s. LANGsDoRF 2,275,534

ANAESTHESIA APPARATUS Y Filed Sept. 27, 1940 March 10, 1942.

INVENTOR, ALEXANDER S. LANGsDoRF BY l f ATTORNEY.

` Patented Mar. 10, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ANEsTHEsIA APPARATUS Alexander S. Langsdorf, St. Louis, Mo. Application september 27, 194o,seria1s0. 358,643

13 Claims.

This invention relates generally to anesthesia apparatus.

There are on record numerous instances Where patients undergoing surgical operations have suffered fatal accidents caused by explosions of inflammable or explosive fluids or gases used for anesthetic purposes. Whatever the cause of the explosion, whether an electric spark due to static charges, or to an open iiame, or to an incandescent cauterizing instrument, the injury to the patient in many of these cases hasrinvolved a rupture of the trachea, bronchi, or lungs caused bythe pressure wave transmitted through the rubber tube and facial mask of the anestheticadministering apparatus.

My invention hence relates more particularly to a certain new and useful improvement in the safety factors of such apparatus and has for `its primary object the provision of anesthetic-administering apparatus so uniquely constructed as to automatically prevent the transmission to the lungs andrespiratory organs of a patient of pres- `sure Waves or flames resulting fromv explosions of the anesthetic fluidor gas.

My invention has vfor a further object the provision of apparatus of the type and for the purpose .stated which may be readily constructed, which is positive and substantially automatic in operation, and which is highly efficient in the performance of its intended functions.

i And with the above and other objects in view, `myinvention resides in the novel features of form, construction,` arrangement, and combination of parts presently described and pointed `out inl theclaims.

In the accompanying drawingl `Figure 1l is a diagrammatic 'perspective view of anesthesia apparatus constructed in accordance with; `and embodying my` present invention;

Figure 2 is a broken longitudinal sectional paratusincludes a conventional 'cylinder or other l `vessel A for the storage of the particular anes thetic gas, which is adapted for supply `communication through a conventional control-valve I and conduit 2 with a safety-valve structure B connected,in turn, by means of a feeder-tube 3 tol the intake fitting 4 of the body-portion Vor hood 5 of an applying-member usually -in the form of a facial mask C, all as best seen in Figure 1. i i

The Valve-structure B comprises a preferably metallic tubular shell (i preferably detachably provided at its one or so-called lower end, reference being made to Figure `2, with a suitable closure-cap I having an outlet, ask at 8, in its end wall for accommodating a tubular or other suitable connector 9 of the feeder-tube 3.

suitably located within the shell 6 intermediate its opposite ends, is a fixed transverse diaphragm I0 having' a preferably integral centrally disposed tubular piston or valve guide II; and preferably integral with or otherwise fixed to the cylindrical wall of the shell 6 and suitably located intermediate the diaphragm I0 and the end-cap 1, is a ring-shaped second wall I2, the opening I3 of which *is substantially larger in diametral size than that of the guide II, the wall I2 being formed concentrcally about the periphery of opening I3 with a Valve-seat I4 presented laterally toward the end-cap '1 Snugly fitting for free reciprocation `in and through the guide II, is a nicely balanced tubularY piston-rod or valve-stem I5, flxed to and upon which at its one or so-called upper end, reference being again made to Figure 2, is a head or piston I6 provided or formed upon its outer periphery with a laterally presented annular flange or skirt I6 having at its outer face an easy sliding fit relatively to the inner face of the shell Ii for normallyclosing an annular series of shell-perforations or outlet orifices 6.

Fixed in the opposite or lower end of the stem I5, which projects freely through the aperture I3 of wall I2, is a suitable plug I1, and xed, as by means of a screw or the like I8 to the plug I'l, is a valve-disk I9 sized to seat upon the flange or ring I4, an annular gasket 2U being preferably fixed on the disk I9 rfor closure sealing engagement with the seat I4, as best seen in Figure 2.

Thus, as will be evidentpthe shell or cylinder (i is divided by the diaphragm I0 and ring-wall I2 into an intake compartment or chamber b, an intermediate compartment or chamber b', and an outlet compartment or chamber b", all as best seen in Figure 2 and for purposes presently fully appearing.

Formed in and upon the wall of the shell or cylinder I between the diaphragm II) and valve or piston-head I6 and having communication withlthe intake-chamber b, is a tubular boss 2| for receiving the connector-fitting 22 of the intake conduit 2.` i i opening into the intermediate chamber b', the

chambers b, bi', being thus in constant cornmunication through the suitably elongated intermediate conduit or tube 25.

Thread-seated in the end-cap 'I to projectinto the shell-chamber b, and secured, Vas by locknuts 28, in selected or adjusted position, is a pair of set-screws or the like 29v for engagement.' with the valve-disk I9, so that 'normally the stein` I and associated piston-head I6 will be supported in its selected downwardly disposed or open position, in which the disk I9 will be shifted from theseat I4 for permitting free communication between chambers br and bi through aperture I3, and the orifices 6 will be covered and closed bythe flange I6', all as best seen inA Figure 2 and'for purposes presently more .fully appearing. At its lower end, theffeeder-tube 3 has communication by means of a connector 30 with the intakeI duct 3I of the tubular boss or fitting 4 ofthe dome-shaped or hemi-spherical hood or body-portion 5 of the applying-member or facial mask C; and preferably detachably engaged, as at 32, with the peripheral marginrof hood 5 and forming part of the mask C, is an inflatable face-ring 33 sized and shaped for comfortably fitting around the nose and mouth of the particular patient, the face-ring 33 being equipped vwith an elastic band, not here specifically shown,

for yieldingly and Iremovablyengaging the head of the patient for securing the mask C in place. Preferably embedded in or otherwise forming substantially an integral part of the face-ring 33, is an annular metallic-member 34, and marginally soldered or otherwise fixed to the member 34, and disposed transversely within the hood 5 between the inlet-opening 3I and the face-ring 33, is an upwardly convexed preferably copper-gauze screen 35 of very small'or fine mesh, the `facial mask C. being conventionally vented through an outlet duct 36 formed in the fitting 4 for receiving the connector 31 of an outlet or exhalation tube 38, all as best seen in Figure 2 and for purposes presently more fully appearing. y

For purposes presently appearing, the piston I6 is provided upon its upper face with `a pair of upstanding ears 39 for pivotal engagement with one end of a link 40, in turn, at its upper end, pivotally connected toa transverse link 4I rockably mounted at its opposite endupon a clevice-shaped bracket 42 having an arm 43 for supporting engagement with one end of a tension spring 44 connected at its other end to the link 4I` in the formation of a toggle-type valve supporting-mechanism.

In use, the ethylene, cyclopropane, or other anesthetic gas will under normal conditions iiow from the cylinder A through the tube 2 into the chamber b of the shell 6. Since the piston-stem I5, head I6, and Valve-disk I9 are nicely balanced-,vso that the orifices or relief ports 6' are closed by the piston-flange I6v and the disk I9 is unseated, the entering gas will flow freely from the chamber b through the intermediate tube 25 into the chamber b and thence through the valve-aperture I3 into the discharge chamber b and from chamber b, through the tube 3, for application by the mask C to the patient.

Now in the event of an explosion ahead of the valve-structure B, where, experience shows, the

the safety valve B, but also shift the flange I6 to open the outlet orifices 6' for venting the chamber b to atmosphere. At the same time, the link 4I will rock upwardly, carrying the spring 44 past dead center, the piston I6 being thereby held in upwardly disposed position, the valve-aperture I3 accordingly remaining closed and the relief ports 6 remaining open.

Part of the pressure wave entering the chamber b will flow or escape into the flexible tube 25. However, the tube 25 is of such length that, by the time such. escaping portion of the pressurewave enters the chamber b', the valve I9 will be seated and the orifices 6 opened. Thus the tube 25 functions in the nature of a time-delay, alfording the valve B full opportunity to close prior to even a portion of the pressure-wave reaching the exhaust-chamber b.

As an additional protection to the patient, any flame entering the mask C will be intercepted by the screen 35, and propagation thereof into the respiratory tract of the patient will thereby be positively and certainly prevented. I may add that the screen 35 being permanently attached to the face-ring 33, full protection is alforded the patient even if the hood 5 should be removed.

After an explosion has dissipated its force and* the iiame, if any, has been extinguished, the apparatus may again be restored to initial operative position by manually causing the piston I6 to move downwardly to again rest in supported position upon the supports 29, the piston I6 in such movement rocking the link 4I and the spring 44 past fdead center and thereby restoring the valve Bv to initial position.

Under some circumstances, an electro-magnet 45 may be substituted for the described togglemechanism, the magnet coil or winding 46 being connected inseries with a manual switch s, a

- sourcev of current 41, and a conventional tilting mercury switch 48 rockably supported at one end by means of a bracket 49 upon the cylinder 6 and at its other end operatively connected by means of a depending link 59 to the upper face of the piston I6. As the piston I6 is' forced upwardly,

the mercury switch 48 will be tilted, closing the circuit to the coil 46 and energizing the electromagnet 45, thereby holding the piston I6 through an associated armature 5I in upwardly supported position. Afterythe explosion has dissipated its force and any flame hasbeen extinguished, the switch s may be manually opened, deenergizing the coil' 46 and causing the electro-magnet ,45 to release'the armature 5 I, whereupon the piston I6 will' return to initial position.

It will thus be evident that, by my invention., I have provided an anestheticeadministering apparatus which is entirely safe, positively eliminating the hazards of explosion and lire and preventing injury or damage to the respiratory organs of the patient in the event of accidental explosion. i

It will further be `evident that the anestheticadministering Vapparatus of my present invention is simple in operation and durable in construction, being free` of any partswhichmay readily become worn or broken and cause failure of operation during use, and it `Will also be understood that other changes and modifications in the form, construction, arrangement, and combination of `the several parts of the Iapparatus may be made and substituted for those herein shown and described without departing from the nature and principle of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

i 1; Anesthetic-administering apparatus including a safety valve comprising a shell divided by longitudinally spaced transverse walls into an intake chamber, an intermediate chamber, and a discharge chamber-,the wall between the intermediate and dischargechambers being provided with anoutlet-port and saidintake chamber being `connected by an elongated'conduit with the intermediate Chambenand means comprising a stem within the shell and a valve-member on the piston-stem` for closure-wise co-operation with the outlet-port, said means being responsive to sudden increases of pressure for actuating the valve-member for closing the outlet-port.

2. Anesthetic-administering apparatus including a safety valve comprising a cylindrical shell divided by longitudinally spaced transverse walls into an intake chamber, an intermediate chamber, and a discharge chamber,the wall between the intermediate and discharge chambers being provided with an outlet-port and said intake chamber being connected by an elongated conduit with the intermediate chamber, and means comprising a piston-stem shiftably mounted in the intake chamber anda valve-member connected on the stem for closure-wise oo-operation with the outlet-port, said intake chamber being provided with a plurality of relief ports adapted to be Closed when the outlet-port is open and open when the outlet-port is closed, said means being responsive to sudden increases of pressure for actuating the valve-member for closing the outlet-port.

3. An anesthetic-administering apparatus comprising an applying-member, in combination with a supply-line and means incorporated in the line for feeding an anesthetic-gas to the applying- `member under pressures corresponding to normal flow, said means including a tubular shell having an intake chamber, an outlet chamber, and an intermediate chamber, said intake chamber having a iluid inlet, the shell having an annular series of orices in the wall of its intake chamber, the intake and intermediate chambers having conduit-communication, and there being a normally open valve-aperture between the intermediate and outlet chambers, and valve-means for normally closing said orifices, said valvemeans being automatically actuable by the gas for closing said aperture and opening said orifices for interrupting feed of the gas through the shell to the applying-member and venting the same from the shell when the rate of increase of pressure exceeds a predetermined amount.

4. An anesthetic-administering apparatus comprising an applying-member, in combination with a supply-line and means incorporated in the line for feeding an anesthetic gas to the applying-member under pressures corresponding to normal ow, said means including a tubular shell, a diaphragm within the shell dividing the Chamber thereof into an intake compartment and a second compartment, the shell having an annular series of orifices in the wall of its intake compartment, a ring-shaped Wall within the'shell spaced from the diaphragm for dividing` the second shell-compartment into outlet and intermediate compartments, said intake compartment having a fluid inlet and the intake and intermediate compartments having conduitcommunication, a valve-seat on said wall, a piston having a bearing for reciprocation in the diaphragm and projecting through the wallaperture, a flanged head on the piston normally closing said orifices, and a valve-disk on the piston disposed within the shell outlet compartment in spaced relation normally to said valveseat, the piston being automatically actuable by the gas for seating the valve for closing said aperture and opening said orices for interrupting feed of the gas through the shell to the applying-member and venting the same from the shellwhen the rate of increase of pressure exceeds a predetermined amount.

5. An anesthetic-administering apparatus comprising an applying-member, in combination with a supply-line, means incorporated in the line for feeding an anesthetic-gas to the applying-member under pressures corresponding to normal flow, said means including a chambered shell and a valve-member automatically motivated in the shell by the gas for interrupting feed thereof to the applying-member when the rate of'increase of pressure exceeds a predetermined amount, and means for releasably retaining the valve-member in gas-now interrupting position.`

6. An anesthetic-administering apparatus comprising an applying-member, in combination with a supply-line, means incorporated in the line for feeding an anesthetic-gas to the applying-member under pressures corresponding to normal flow, said means including a chambered shell and a valve-member automatically motivated in the shell by the gas for interrupting feed'thereof to the applying-member when the rate of increase of pressure exceeds a predetermined amount, and manually releasable lmechanical toggle-means for retaining the valve-member in gas-flow interrupting position.

` '7. An anesthetic-administering apparatus comprising an applying-member, in combination with a supply-line, means incorporated in the line for feeding an anesthetic-gas to the applying member under pressures corresponding to normal flow, said means including a chambered shell and a valve-member automatically motivated in the shell by the gas for interrupting feed thereof to the applying-member when the rate of increase of pressure exceeds a predetermined amount, and electro-magnetic means for releasably retaining the valve-member in gas-flow interrupting position.

8. Anesthetic administering apparatus comprising an applying-member, a supply line connected with said applying-member, a source of iluid supply connected to the other end of said supply line, valve means in said supply line intermediate the source of iiuid supply and the applying-member, additional means on the fluid supply side of `said valve means and cooperating with said valve means actuatable by explosive increases of pressure on the fluid supply side of said valve means for closing said valve means A against the flow of fluid therethrough toward the outlet end and the applying-member, and means creating a lag in the fluid course between said additional means and the opening closed by said valve. f

9. Anesthetic administering apparatus cornprising comprising an applying-member, a supply line connected at one end with said applyingmember, a source of fluid supply to the other end of said supply line, valve means in said supply line intermediate the source of uid supply and the applying-member, additional means on the fluid supply side of said valve means cooperating with said valve means and actuatable by explosive increases of pressure on the fluid supply side of said valve means for closing said valve means against the flow of fluid therethrough in a direction toward the outlet end and the applyingmember, said valve means including normally closed escape portsfuncovered by such actuation of the valve closing means under increased explosive force providing escape passages for the explosive force, and means creating a lag in the uid course between said additional valve closing means and the opening closed by said valve.

10. Anesthetic administering apparatus comprising an applying-member, a source of fluid supply, a supply line leading from the source of the uid supply to said applying-member, a valve casing connected in said supply line, .valve means in said casing actuatable to close the opening therefrom establishing communication with the part of the supply line leading to the applying-member, valve closing means in said casing additional to and cooperating with said valve means actuatable by and responsive to explosive increases of pressure on the iluid supply side of said valve for actuating the Valve means and closing the supply line connection leading to the applying-member, andan yelongated conduit extending between portions of said casing and creating a lag in the uid course between said additional means and the opening closed by saidr valve.

1l. Anesthetic administering apparatus Comprising an applying-member, a supply line connected with said applying-member, a source of fluid supply to said supply line, valve means in said supply line intermediate the source of uid supply and the applying-member, means actuatable by explosive increases of pressure on the uid supply side of said valve means for closing said valve means against the flow of fluid therethrough toward the outlet end and the applying-member, andmeans actuated by the closing of said valve under such explosive pressure retaining said valve in closed position until manually reopened.

12. Anesthetic administering apparatus comprising an applyingmember,a source of anesthetic fluid supply, a supply line connected With and leading from the source of fluid Supply to said applying-member, valve means in said supply line intermediate the source of fluid supply and the applying-member, means actuatable by explosive increases of pressure on the uid supply side of said valve means for closing said valve means against-the flow of fluid therethrough, said valve means having a casing provided with a plurality of chambers one of which is in communication with the supply side of said line and the other chamber being in communication with the side leading to the applying-member and having the valve means closing the discharge opening therefrom to they applying-member, and an elongated conduit connecting said chambers.

13. An anesthetic administering apparatus comprising an applying-member, a source of anesthetic fluid Supply, a supply line connected between said source of fluid supply and said applying member, a valve casing in said supply line intermediate the source of iiuid supply and the applying-member havingA therein non-communicating chambers connected respectively With the intake and discharge portions of said supply line, a valve seat interposed in the chamber leading to the discharge side, a valve in said chamber movable into opened and closed positions, valve operating means in thev inlet chamber operable by explosive increases of pressure on the supply side of said valve casing to close said valve, and an elongated fluid conducting conduit from said intake chamber to said discharge chamber delaying travel of fluid under explosive pressures from said 'inlet chamber to said outlet chamber until said valve is closed.

ALEXANDER S. LANGSDORF. 

